The study points to a common possible reason why you may always be allergic; Understand if it is worrisome
A new study presented in the United States suggests that the cause of allergies may be closer than we think
Are you one of those who suffer from allergy crises? for you Your smartphone may be the cause of your allergy🇧🇷 At least that’s what indicates a new study presented this month at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), in Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
Research has shown that there are elevated levels of allergens in dogs and cats, as well as β-D-glucan (BDG), found in fungal cell walls, and endotoxins, which are bacterial toxins found in the environment, in cell phones.
BDGs are found in the cell walls of fungi and have been found on many environments and surfaces, causing chronic symptoms of irritation in the airways. “Entoxin is a potent inflammatory agent and marker of exposure to Gram-negative bacteria,” says Hannah Rorna, lead author of the study.
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How was the study conducted?
To conduct the study, the researchers created phone models with a size and surface that resembled a real smartphone. Levels of allergens, BDG and endotoxins were measured in the “cells” of 15 volunteers. In addition, the models were cleaned as part of the test using electrostatic wipes and isopropyl alcohol wipes.
According to Peter Thorne, PhD, professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of Iowa and co-author of the study, cleaning the “cells” was effective in reducing BDG and endotoxins when a combination of chlorhexidine/cetylpyridinium was used. Removal of allergens from dogs and cats was most effective with the use of benzyl benzoate and tannic acid.
The study demonstrates exposure to inhaled allergens and molecules that trigger innate immune responses from a source most people have not considered. If you have allergies or asthma, you may want to consider cleaning your smartphone more frequently to reduce exposure to allergens and asthma triggers.”
Could a cell phone be the cause of your allergy?
For Javier Ricardo Carbajal Lizárraga, an allergist and immunologist, the presence of mites and fungal debris on surfaces that mimic cell phones can occur. Any other surface in the house is also unhealthy🇧🇷
“We have to remember that when it comes to mites, what causes the allergy is the digestive proteins that are eliminated in the fecal nut they excrete. For any surface to contain these allergens, the specialist explains, it needs to be colonized by microbes.
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Javier also explains that mites live and breed in moist environments and the rest of exfoliated skin, such as beds, pillows, and chairs. As for fungi, what triggers allergies are the spores they release, and this only happens when these microorganisms colonize surfaces that must be very humid, unlike the working condition of any electronic device.
Allergists also claim that allergies develop through repeated exposure to allergens in genetically predisposed individuals. “It is absurd to consider that these concentrations of mite and fungus residues could be sufficient to cause an allergic reaction in any individual,” he adds.
However, it is important to sanitize your cell phone!
In any case, It works to keep the surface of your smartphone always cleanespecially considering that people touch their mobile phones more than 2,600 times a day, according to Report Published in 2016.
Cell phones can indeed be sources of contamination for many infectious microorganisms, such as SarsCov-2 (Covid-19), Epstein Barr virus (mononucleosis) and herpes simplex, among others, especially when shared between people. Javier explains.
Regarding the mites in the smartphone, the allergist explains that cleaning with a damp cloth should suffice. “It may not be ideal when it comes to getting rid of infectious agents, but any germicidal substance that does not harm the surface or the performance of the device should be sufficient to prevent us,” the specialist concludes.